Peach tree &#34;Snow Dance&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach, Prunus persica, tree; its novelty consists of the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety: 
     1. Early maturity of large size fruit. 
     2. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality. 
     3. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color. 
     5. Fruit with firm flesh, good handling and shipping quality. 
     6. The ability of the fruit to hold firm on the tree 4 to 5 days after maturity (shipping ripe). 
     7. Vigorous, upright growth habit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree was originated by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a first generationcross between two selected seedlings with field identification numbers36EB85 and 5GE8. The female parent (36EB85), originated from an openpollinated seedling selection selected from a cross between May GrandNectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794) with a peach of unknown parentage.The pollen parent (5GE8), originated as a selected seedling from a crossbetween Fayette Peach (non-patented) withRoyal April Peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 3,411) which was then crossed with May Crest Peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 4,064). A large number of these first generation seedlings weregrown and maintained under close observation by us, during which time werecognized the outstanding desirable characteristics described above andselected the present new variety for asexual reproduction andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree was asexually reproduced bybudding, as perform by us in our experimental orchard located nearModesto, Calif., and shows that all characteristics run true to theoriginal tree and are established and transmitted in succeeding asexualpropagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree is of large size, vigorous,upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of large, whiteflesh, clingstone fruit with good flavor and eating quality. The fruitis further characterized by having firm flesh, good handling andshipping quality, holding firm on the tree 4 to 5 days after maturity(shipping ripe) and having a high degree of attractive red skin color.In comparison to the white flesh, Sugar May Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8,034), the fruit of the new variety is approximately 13 days earlier inmaturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the fruit and foliage of the present new peach variety. The upper andlower surface of the leaves being shown, the exterior and a sectionalview of a fruit divided in the suture plane to show flesh coloration,pit cavity and a stone remaining in place. The photograph was takenshortly after the fruit was picked at maturity (shipping ripe) and thecolors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a botanical description of the present new peach tree,itsflowers, foliage and fruit as based on observations of specimensgrown nearModesto, Calif., with color terminology (except those incommon terms) referenced to Reinhold Color Atlas by A. Kornerup and J.H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Shape.--Usually pruned to vase shape.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Density.--Medium dense.

Form.--Upright.

Productivity.--Productive.

Bearer.--Regular.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium to large.

Texture.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to grayish brown (5-E-4) to (5-F-4).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Smooth to medium rough, varies with age of growth.

Lenticels.--Medium number. Large size.

Color.--Light brown to brown (5-E-6) to (5-D-6).

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length -- 6". Average width -- 11/2".

Form.--Lanceolate, pointed.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Relatively smooth.

Thickness.--Medium.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness.

Glands.--Reniform. Number varies from 1 to 3. Average number 2. Mediumsize. Positioned on base of leaf blade and upper portion of petiole.

Color.--Upper surface -- green to dark green (27-D-6) to (27-F-6). Lowersurface -- dull green to grayish green (27-D-3) to (27-E-3).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium to large.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Flowers:

Size.--Large, showy.

Blooming period.--Mar. 2, 1994 to Mar. 7, 1994. Varies slightly withclimatic conditions.

Pollen.--Present, self-fertile.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--May 21, 1994.

Date of last picking.--May 26, 1994.

Size.--Large. Average diameter axially 23/4". Average transversely insuture plane 27/8".

Form.--Globose, nearly rounded.

Suture.--Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Usually rounded.

Cavity.--Rounded, slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth --1/2". Average breadth -- 3/4".

Base.--Retuse.

Apex.--Nearly rounded, varies from round to slight apical point.

Flesh:

Ripens.--Evenly.

Texture.--Firm.

Fibers.--Few, small, tender.

Juice.--Moderate.

Flavor.--Good, mild, sub-acid, sweet.

Eating quality.--Good.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Color.--White to yellowish white (1-A-1) to (1-A-2). Pit cavity -- paleyellow to grayish yellow (1-A-3) to (1-B-5).

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium, tenacious to the flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Moderate amount. Short in length.

Color.--White to yellowish white ground color (3-A-2) to (3-A-3). Nearlyoverspread with red to madder red (10-B-8) to (10-D-8).

Stone:

Type.--Clingstone.

Size.--Medium to large. Average length -- 13/8". Average width --11/16". Average thickness -- 1/2".

Form.--Obovate.

Base.--Usually straight, varies from straight to rounded.

Apex.--Varies from rounded to acuminate.

Sides.--Equal to unequal.

Surface.--Irregularly furrowed toward apex, pitted toward base, pitcavities vary from round to elongated.

Tendency to split.--Very slight.

Color.--Tan to light brown (6-B-3) to (6-C-4).

Use: Dessert.

Market.--Local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping quality: Good.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitmay vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and culturalpractices under which the variety may be grown; the present descriptionisthat of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Modesto, Calif.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and being a productive and regular bearer of large, firm,white flesh, clingstone fruit with a mild, sub-acid, sweet flavor withgood eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by having goodhandling and shipping quality, holding firm on the tree 4 to 5 daysafter maturity and, in comparison to the white flesh Sugar May Peach(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,034), the fruit is approximately 13 days earlierin maturity.